2018 Hiking Adventures

[BorregoWrangler]

#13 Upper San Diego River Gorge
7.5 miles | +1400’

I’ve been wanting to explore the upper reaches of the San Diego River for some time now. Last year I was able to get into the canyon to check out a couple of waterfalls just downstream from the Inaja Memorial Picnic Area, but this weekend I managed to complete the strenuous trek down to see the tallest waterfall along the entire San Diego River course. The 7 mile route took us 8 1/2 hours with 1400 feet of elevation loss/gain. Thick vegetation, slippery rocks, boulders, steep terrain, poison oak, thorny blackberry vines, cactus, spiders, ants, ticks, and fleas all conspired to hinder our progress. It’s an exhaustingly strenuous hike, but our experience and a strong sense of determination paid off. It was an epic adventure!

“A trip down the upper San Diego River canyon during the rainy season is a true adventure. Runoff from winter storms fills the rocky riverbed with a silvery band of water. Green grass, new leaves, and wildflowers (appearing by February or March) brighten the banks as well as the slopes. In several places along the way the stream cascades over rock precipices, including one with a drop of 100 feet. Sturdy boots and a patient, cautious attitude are essential for this trip. By April or May, when hungry and irritable rattlesnakes emerge from their wintertime burrows, you’ll have to be extra vigilant. Long pants are recommended, as are small clippers to prune back the branches of poison oak in a few tight spots. If you’re traveling with a heavy or awkward pack, bring a 30-foot length of cord to assist in lowering it over rock faces as you detour around the waterfalls. Avoid the canyon after intense storms, when high water levels may make stream crossings difficult or dangerous. Get an early start if you are planning to thoroughly explore the canyon.” -Jerry Schad

 

[BorregoWrangler]

#14 Batiquitos Lagoon
3.25 miles

Batiquitos Lagoon is a coastal wetland north of San Diego between the cities of Carlsbad and Encinitas. It is one of the few remaining tidal wetlands on the southern California coast of the United States. The lagoon itself consists of 610 acres with a drainage basin of about 55,000 acres. The area is run by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and manages the lagoon as an Ecological Reserve. Ecological Reserves are established to provide protection for plants and animals and their habitats, especially those that are threatened or endangered.

 

[BorregoWrangler]

#15 Dyar Spring/Juaquapin Loop
6.25 miles | +825’

This network of trails in Cuyamaca Rancho State Park has a variety of beautiful scenery, from chaparral hillsides, grassy meadows, oak shaded hills, and riparian stream sides. However, the ticks were really out in force on this one. I got really good at spotting the little buggers questing on the vegetation along the trail. Lost count of how many I saw. It must have looked like I was dancing rather than hiking, just trying to avoid the tall grass and bushes as I went.

 

[BorregoWrangler]

#16 Black Canyon
2 miles | +260’

The first part of this hike may have been a brushy tick-fest, but it soon required scrambling around boulders and over water-polished bedrock. The highlight is a large swimming hole (bluegill included) fed by a 20 foot waterfall. This lush riparian habitat includes live oaks, cottonwood trees, willows, white alders, and even a few native black walnut trees. Lots of trash and graffiti in the area, but fortunately its overwhelmed by all the natural beauty.

 

[BorregoWrangler]

#17 & 18 PCT: Scissors Crossing to Montezuma Valley Road
23.5 miles | +3670’

This was one of my most enjoyable backpacking trips and I had the pleasure of sharing the trail with quite a few thru-hikers, lizards, and one angry rattlesnake. This is a notoriously hot and waterless section of trail, so I had a haul of 7.5 liters of water in my pack. This also marks my completion of Section A on the Pacific Crest Trail. I’m actually almost halfway done with Section B as well.

 

[BorregoWrangler]

#19 West Butte Borrego Mountain & The Slot
5.5 miles | +900’

This is one of the most popular hikes in the Anza-Borrego Desert. From the top, there is an almost 360-degree view that includes a major part of both the state park and the state vehicular recreation area and views of Borrego Springs, the Borrego Badlands, and the Santa Rosa, Vallecito, and San Ysidro mountains. An added bonus is “the Slot” near Borrego Mountain, which is the only slot marked on a map. There are many slot canyons in the Anza-Borrego — narrow passages carved by water flowing through easily eroded soft formations such as sandstone or siltstone — but this one is the most frequently visited. It is such a narrow passage through towering sandstone canyon walls that you may have to take your daypack off and edge through sideways.

 

[BorregoWrangler]

#20 Borrego Palm Canyon
3 miles | +500’

This may in fact be the most popular hike in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. On most weekends, there is a steady stream of people walking up this easy trail to the first palm grove in the canyon. The majority will spend time enjoying the beautiful oasis and then turn around. Past the first palm grove the route becomes strenuous, so I’ll have to save that for another day.

The canyon was once estimated to contain around 3000 fan palms before a devastating flood in September 2004 greatly reduced their numbers. Still, within 3 miles of the trailhead, you can discover three spectacular groves of California fan palms, the only native palm in California. They are relics from a cooler and moister period and are now restricted to the isolated rocky canyons of our desert regions where underground springs provide the large quantities of water they need to survive.

 

[BorregoWrangler]

#21 Lake Hodges Overlook
6.25 miles | +1500’

For a hearty workout, blue-water views and a plethora of wildflowers, head to Del Dios Highlands Preserve in Escondido. The views may include the Pacific Ocean, but only if the skies are really clear. Much closer and always in view are the waters of Lake Hodges and the Olivenhain Reservoir.

The Del Dios Highlands Preserve is 774 acres of open space consisting of coastal sage scrub and chaparral habitats and this one 1.3-mile trail. The county of San Diego, partnering with the Escondido Creek Conservancy and the San Dieguito River Park Joint Powers Authority, acquired the parkland in 2004 as part of its Multiple Species Conservation Program.

The program preserves San Diego’s unique, native habitats and wildlife in a regional conservation effort. It also protects watersheds and water quality, and both the Olivenhain Reservoir and Lake Hodges are part of the county’s water storage.

 

[BorregoWrangler]

#22 Mule Hill Trail
3.25 miles | +115’

Mule Hill Trail, part of the San Dieguito River Park, connects to the San Pasqual Valley Agricultural Trail, and both trails are part of the park’s Coast-to-Crest Trail that will eventually traverse 55 miles from Volcan Mountain in Julian to the coast in Del Mar.

It takes you through boulder-strewn grasslands along the northern edge of Lake Hodges, which was formed in 1918 when the San Dieguito River was dammed.

On Dec. 6, 1846, California’s bloodiest battle of the Mexican-American War took place at San Pasqual five miles east of here.

On Dec. 7, the American soldiers under command of Brig. Gen. Stephen Watts Kearny were attacked from the rear by Mexican forces. This move forced the Americans to withdraw to higher ground, where they were attacked for the next four days by the Mexican forces that had surrounded them at the bottom of the hill.

The Americans were short on food and resorted to eating their mules, which gave the hill its name. You’ll have to read the placards along the trail to find out what happened next. (Or just google it.)

 

[BorregoWrangler]

#23 Cuyamaca Peak
7.75 miles | +1800’

Scenes from my hike up Cuyamaca Peak via Azalea Glen and Conejos Trail in Cuyamaca Rancho State Park. First time up this route and I had the whole place to myself. Had to keep an eye out for the ticks and poodle-dog bush. Looking forward to catching the sunset up there again soon.

 

[BorregoWrangler]

#24 PCT: Desert Divide
14 miles | +3700’

The Desert Divide, the lesser known and less frequently visited southern section of the San Jacinto Mountain Range. The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) ascends this major ridge on it’s journey north, making its way from the oaken forests, chaparral, yucca, and cacti desert highland and eventually sub-alpine forests of pine and fir. In 2013 the Mountain Fire sweep through this area, and a large section of the PCT was closed. Portions of the damaged trail have been slowly reopening.

I started where I left off on Cedar Springs Trail 4EI7 and finished at Spitler Peak Trail 3E22 and bagged Palm View and Spitler Peak as well. I didn’t have anyone else along to set up a shuttle at the other trailhead so I got an Uber to take me back to my Jeep. After about 14 miles on the trail, I wasn’t interested in a 10 mile road-walk. It was a gorgeous day on the trail!

 

[BorregoWrangler]

#25 San Jacinto Peak
16.25 miles | +4200’

Midweek hike up San Jacinto Peak with friends for the win! Our route started at Humber Park in Idyllwild, ascended Devils Slide Trail to the PCT at Saddle Junction, and then north to Wellman Divide and up to the peak. It was a pleasure sharing the trail with Scott Turner, coauthor of the newest edition of Afoot & Afield in San Diego, and Don, a longtime friend and hiking partner of the late Jerry Schad. We only saw a handful of other hikers on the trail. Not a bad way to spend a Wednesday.

 

[BorregoWrangler]

#26 Agua Dulce Loop
6.25 miles | +600’

This route through the Laguna Mountain Recreation Area follows a forgotten alignment of the earliest highway into the Lagunas, visits the shady recesses of Agua Dulce Creek, and traverses the south arm of Laguna Meadow. It was a great morning spent with family and friends.

 

[BorregoWrangler]

#27 San Gorgonio Mountain
17 miles | +5500’

San Gorgonio is the tallest mountain in Southern California, and a rite of passage for serious hikers in the area. At 11,503 feet elevation, it makes for excellent high altitude training. San Gorgonio’s nickname “old greyback” comes from it’s grey and rounded peak; the only peak in Southern California with a summit significantly above the tree line. As such, it’s bright white winter snow cap, unobstructed by vegetation, makes the mountain noticeable from many miles away. The mountain hosts the longest recorded line of sight in the contiguous United States; it is plainly visible from the summit of Mount Whitney, 190 miles away.

I headed out on a Friday evening to backpack up this beast with a friend. We set out from the Vivian Creek Trailhead at 9:30PM and reached Halfway Camp at 12:30AM. We were up shortly after sunrise on Saturday, enjoyed a quick breakfast, then set out for the summit with our daypacks. I saw quite a few other hikers struggling with the altitude on the last couple miles so I glad to see I wasn’t alone. The summit views were spectacular, but it was also crowded, so after a few photos and lunch we made our way back to camp (with a stop at High Creek Camp to filter some water) and then down to the trailhead. It was a strenuous, but beautiful trek.

 

[BorregoWrangler]

#28 Rim Trail
4 miles | +500’

After work hike with friends and family along the Rim Trail at Mission Trails Regional Park. Although I helped him on some of the steeper sections, this was my son’s longest hike yet.

 

[BorregoWrangler]

#29 East Mesa Trailhead to Green Valley Falls
3 miles | +300’

We visited Green Valley Falls while camping up in Cuyamaca Rancho State Park. The campground at the Falls is closed for improvements so you gotta park down the highway at the East Mesa trailhead and hike in about a mile and a half. The water was cold but super refreshing and the kids had a blast sliding down the slickrock.

 

[BorregoWrangler]

#30 Cuyamaca Peak
5.5 miles | +1700’

Catching the sunset atop the second highest peak in San Diego County with the San Diego Hikers. It was great sharing the trail with old and new faces.

 

[BorregoWrangler]

#31 Fuller Ridge to Deer Springs Trail via PCT
10.5 miles | +2400’

Back on the Pacific Crest Trail from the Fuller Ridge trailhead to the Deer Springs Trail junction and back, with a detour up Castle Rocks. Lots of ups and downs along that ridge and great views of San Jacinto and San Gorgonio. Only two more trips to make and I’ll be done with Section B of the PCT.

Castle Rocks summit is the high point of Fuller Ridge which extends west from the San Jacinto Peak massif. It also lies within the boundaries of Mount San Jacinto State Park and is easily attainable from the Pacific Crest Trail. The summit views reveal spectacular scenery expanding north to the San Bernardinos, west and south to the Inland Empire and of the dramatic north face of San Jacinto Peak.

 

[BorregoWrangler]

#32 East Mesa Loop
10 miles | +1300’

The “grand tour” of the East Mesa area in Cuyamaca Rancho State Park is a 10 mile loop over rolling meadows, down onto the canyon of Harper Creek, and offers great views of all the major peaks in the Cuyamaca Mountains. It’s also one of the best places to spot wildlife, although on this trip all we saw were turkeys.

 

[BorregoWrangler]

#33 La Jolla Shores to Torrey Pines
6 miles

I got up early Sunday morning for the low tide to hike from La Jolla Shores to Torrey Pines. Interestingly, while waiting for my buddy to show up to drop off a vehicle at Torrey Pines beach, an ICE agent approached me to see what I was doing. Just hiking. Soon we were heading south to La Jolla to start our six mile trek back to Torrey Pines. The low tide that morning was -1.4 so there was more than enough beach to explore along the way.

Just ahead was Black's Beach, San Diego's unofficial nude sunning and bathing spot. This morning only a couple of people were participating in that tradition. There were also a number of surfers, fishermen, and runners enjoying the coastline. I’m definitely keeping an eye on the tides and heading out there again this summer.

“There are only a few places along the Southern California coastline where you can walk for miles in a single direction and hardly see any highway, railroad tracks, powerlines, houses, or other signs of civilization. The beaches below Torrey Pines State Reserve and the Torrey Pines golf course are one such place. Here, for a space of about three miles, sharp cliffs face the shoreline and cut off the sights and sounds of the world beyond. Plan your outing during a low-tide period, when there's a wider, smoother, wet-sand surface to walk or run upon.” -Jerry Schad